ELEKTRA MUSIC GROUP OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES & REVEALS FULL LEADERSHIP TEAM

Elektra Music Group has officially opened its doors and finalized its leadership team for the stand–alone group’s roster of artists, and labels encompassing Elektra, Fueled By Ramen (FBR), Roadrunner, Low Country Sound and Black Cement Records. The first release under the new group was twenty one pilots’ new album, Trench, which came out Friday via FBR.

Following recent appointments to the A&R and promotions teams, the remainder of Elektra Music Group’s leadership team brings together a number of leading creative, experienced executives including: Adam Abramson as Head of Sales & Streaming; Ana Lenuzza Ross as Head of Film, TV & Video Game Licensing; Anne Declemente as Head of A&R Admin; Annie Flook as Head of Tour Marketing; Cathy Donovan as Head of Label Operations; Chris Brown as Head of Marketing; Glenn Fukushima as Head of Publicity; Mandee Mallonee as Head of Video Production; Margo Scott as Head of Business & Legal Affairs; Suzy Yoder as Head of DSP & Video Promotion; and Tim Davideit as Head of Digital Marketing.

The group reports to label Co–Presidents, Mike Easterlin and Gregg Nadel.

Said Easterlin and Nadel, “We are so excited to call each and every one of these brilliant people part of the Elektra family. We’re already feeling the creative energy and collaborative spirit that will make Elektra a special place where we discover, nurture and develop game–changing artists. We’re grateful to everyone who has so generously helped us prepare for the launch of this new adventure.”

Including the leadership team, the 60–plus member Elektra Music Group staff builds out the company’s A&R, artist development, business and legal affairs, international, marketing, promotion, publicity, sales and streaming, and video departments.

IAN JAMES SET TO DEPART MUSHROOM MUSIC PUBLISHING

Ian James

After over three decades leading Mushroom Music Publishing (MMP), veteran executive Ian James has announced he will step down as the Australian indie publisher’s Managing Director at the end of this year. Taking over for James at the top of 2019 is current Head of A&R, Linda Bosidis. Following the transition, James will maintain a part in offering strategic advice to MMP while representing the company on the boards of APRA, AMCOS the International Confederation of Music Publishers, and the Independent Music Publishers Forum.

James, who is one of Michael Gudinski’s longest serving staffers within Mushroom Group, took MMP from a small three–person staff to one of the territories leading independent publishing since joining in 1986. James also brought a number of the world’s most successful catalogs to MMP, signing deals with Chrysalis, Kobalt, BMG, Reservoir, Big Deal and Downtown, as well as a list of artists that includes the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the White Stripes and many others. Among his many recognitions, James received the Music Publisher of the Year award at the 2015 International Music Industry Awards which took place at MUSEXPO in Hollywood.

Mushroom Group Chairman, Michael Gudinski, commented, “Ian has made such an incredible contribution to not only Mushroom Music but the music industry as a whole. Together we have put Mushroom Music on the world map. He is one of the true characters of the industry and we look forward to drawing upon his great knowledge, experience and contacts in the years to come.”

Bosidis, who prepares to assume the MD role next year, has overseen A&R at MMP since 1996, signing acts such as Violent Soho, Julia Jacklin, Gordi, Jack River, Chet Faker, The Temper Trap and King Gizzard as well as spearheading JV’s with UNFD and Ivy League. Her new role will see her based out of MMP’s Melbourne office, reporting to Chris Maund, COO of Mushroom Labels and Publishing.

DOT BLOCKCHAIN MEDIA FINALIZES PARTNERSHIP WITH WARNER MUSIC GROUP

Pioneering blockchain firm, Dot Blockchain Media, has announced its first partnership with a major label and publisher in Warner Music Group (WMG). Over the coming the months, the partnership will see Warner/Chappell Music Publishing and WMG’s labels benefitting from the Blockchain’s efficiency in harmonizing, managing, storing, tracking changes, and communicating their significant catalog of digital assets throughout both the publishing and recording aspects of their business, as well as to DSPs and their fellow labels, publishers and rights organizations worldwide.

Dot Blockchain Media’s Chief Strategy Officer, Benji Rogers, comments, “The future of rights management will be one in which machines will augment the work of humans and enable the music industry to work at a speed and scale fit for the digital era. Warner has fully embraced this vision and are leading with a data–first and future–facing strategy that will benefit not only those artists and writers that they represent but the music industry as a whole.”

Ken Umezaki, CEO of Dot Blockchain Media, adds, “Vinnie Freda, Chief Data Officer of WMG, and the whole Warner team have a clear vision of what a modern media rights infrastructure should look like, and are leading the way for the entire industry. It has been great to see their vision operationalized and their valuable assets brought to a blockchain for the first time. We are honored to be selected as their partner in this initiative.”

Blockchain technology is evolving quickly through a number of open–source software projects. The pilot initiative announced with WMG makes use of the open–source Cardstack Framework which offers a cohesive user experience for onboarding new music and metadata, as well as for tracking amendments and approvals on the Blockchain. Dot Blockchain Media has selected Intel’s contribution to the Hyperledger foundation, Hyperledger Sawtooth, as its core blockchain solution to control permissions, track provenance and deliver the latest metadata to participating rights holders.

This initiative will be executed in stages, starting with a limited catalog, as part of a more robust initiative at WMG to continue evolving digital data and workflow infrastructure.

PRIMARY WAVE ANNOUNCES ROUND OF KEY DEALS

Primary Wave Music Publishing continues its growth with last week's announcement of three new deals. The leading U.S. independent publishing company has acquired the music catalog of the legendary jazz pianist and composer Count Basie, has entered into a long–term strategic partnership with the widely–recognized British record producer and songwriter Pete Waterman, and will now represent the music publishing catalog of the Grammy Award–winning singer, songwriter, and guitarist Kenny Loggins.

The acquisition of Count Basie’s catalog encompasses all music assets including copyrights and royalty streams of compositions written by Basie such as "One O'clock Jump" and "Jumpin' At The Woodside," as well as royalty streams for all masters he recorded including "April in Paris" and "Georgia on My Mind." In promoting the Basie catalog, Primary Wave Music Publishing will look to collaborate with the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers, which recently acquired the rights to Basie's name, likeness, trademarks and Basie's artifacts/memorabilia. Count Basie is widely–considered one of the greatest bandleaders of all time, leading for almost 50 years and recording on more than 480 albums. Among his many awards and recognitions, he earned nine Grammy Awards, making history in 1958 by becoming the first African–American to receive the award, and has had an unprecedented four recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame.

Primary Wave’s long–term strategic partnership and acquisition with award–winning British record producer and songwriter Pete Waterman covers a large portion of his extensive catalog including three of his biggest hits, "Never Gonna Give You Up" and "Together Forever" for Rick Astley, as well as "I Should Be So Lucky" for Kylie Minogue. Waterman’s career began as a DJ before he took on a position in A&R for many years. He eventually set–up PWL (Pete Waterman Limited) where he signed producers Matt Aitken and Mike Stock and formed SAW. Considered one of the most successful songwriting and producing partnerships of all time, SAW has garnered over 100 U.K. Top 40 hits, 22 No.1 hits, and sold over 40 million records.

Under the agreement with Kenny Loggins, Primary Wave will represent his music publishing catalog moving forward which includes some of Loggins' biggest hits such as “Footloose,” “I’m Alright,” “Playing with the Boys” and “What a Fool Believes.” In addition to marketing his music, Primary Wave will work with Loggins to exploit his name and likeness as well. The unique arrangement sees Primary Wave's digital division handling all daily digital marketing activities to build awareness of Loggins' music and overall business. In a career spanning more than four decades, Loggins has topped record charts, won multiple awards including two Grammys, and has sold millions of albums across multiple genres of music. Starting out as part of the duo Loggins & Messina, his solo debut was released in 1977 and went Platinum. His collaborations have included those with Barbara Streisand, Fleetwood Mac, Michael McDonald and others. Loggins has been involved in and released a plethora of projects and works and this year he will be honored with the San Diego International Film Festival's inaugural Music Icon Award.

A&R WORLDWIDE ACROSS LOS ANGELES – THE CITY OF ANGELS

For the past two decades, A&R Worldwide’s team has traveled the globe connecting with all touch–points of the music business. However, A&R Worldwide is always engaging within its own backyard in Los Angeles with key creatives, tastemakers, influencers and executives from all areas of pop culture and beyond.

Below is a small pictorial snapshot of some of the activities A&R Worldwide and its team engaged with across the “City of Angels” this past week including participation at BMG’sglobal hitmakers event, as well as the Creative Community For Peace (CCFP), which honored Scooter Braun (Founder, SB Projects), Neil Jacobson (President, Geffen Records) and Aton Ben–Horin (Global VP A&R, Warner Music Group) as their “Ambassadors of Peace.”

FEELING THE “PULSE” AT THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY FOR PEACE EVENT were (l–r) A&R Worldwide’s Sat Bisla, renowned producer/songwriter and CEO of Pulse Music Group, Josh Abraham, and Jason Bernard (COO, Pulse Music Group).

EMBRACING THE POSITIVE ENERGY AT THE AMBASSADORS FOR PEACE EVENT were Daniel Bisla and Sat Bisla.

GLOBAL NEWS UPDATES…

A worldwide talent development partnership has been finalized between Sony Music Entertainment and global producer/DJ Kyrre Gørvell–Dahll, better known as Kygo, alongside music manager Myles Shear. The strategic agreement sees Sony Music, Kygo and Shear launching Palm Tree Records, a new label imprint seeking to identify and develop emerging talent across the dance and electronic music space. The new partnership furthers Sony Music’s already existing relationship with Kygo and his manager Shear. Kygo’s career has seen him garnering more than 8.5 billion streams and over 47 million track equivalents worldwide. Palm Tree Records marks a wider strategy for Kygo and Shear to create a full–service system for breaking new artists, which also encompasses a newly–launched artist management company that the two have created in partnership together.

Warner Music Group (WMG) has launched WMG Boost, a seed–stage investment fund focused on supporting entrepreneurial growth and innovative thinking within the music industry. The multimillion–dollar fund will invest in early–stage businesses with a touch–point to the recorded music and publishing arenas including AI, blockchain, VR, mobile gaming, voice, and beyond. Alongside seed funding, portfolio companies will also gain access to WMG’s industry expertise. Warner Music Group has a history of investing in pioneering start–ups including Landr and Pexeso, as well as being a founding member of Techstars Music.

X5 Music, which was acquired by Warner Music Group (WMG) in 2016, has a new CEO in Stefan Enberg,who is X5’s COO and one of the company’s original Co–Founders. Remaining in Stockholm, Enberg will report to Warner Music’s Sr. VP, Global Catalogue Management, Dirk Ewald. X5 Music’s focus is on aggregating deep catalogues across specific genres of music for playlists, streaming and download products. Additionally, it signs artists and repertoire away from the frontline label arena, as well as commissions music for specialist playlists and releases. Enberg, whose career began as a songwriter, assumes his role with the departure of Johan Lagerlof, a fellow Co–Founder, from the company.

Spotify has unveiled additional new offerings in its Global Cultures Initiative and Spotify For Podcasters, revealed last week. The Global Cultures Initiative seeks to encourage users to discover global and culturally diverse content. According to a Spotify blog post, 1 out of 4 users of the streaming service listen to music by artists from a culture or country different than theirs. The initiative will see playlist hubs from communities around the world such as the African and Arab culture, joining existing sets dedicated to Desi and Latin music. Spotify For Podcasters, currently in beta, looks to bring podcast content to Spotify through RSS submissions once podcasters give Spotify access to their feed. Podcasters using the platform will also gain access to data and analytics including number of listeners and where they’re listening from as well as demographic insight.

In other Spotify news, Co–Founders Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon have made moves to sell a small portion of their holdings in the company. In revealing the news last week, Swedish tech news site DI Digital shared that the sale would bring Ek’s holdings from 8.8% to 8.3%, and Lorentzon’s from 12.2% to 11.8%. Digital DI went on, referencing SEC filings, to report that from July to September, Ek had sold off around $61.8 million in shares and is expected to unload an additional $66.3 million in shares in the coming months. Lorentzon has reportedly sold $58.5 million and intends to sell another $31.9 million. Despite the sales, Lorentzon and Ek maintain their No.1 and No.3 spots in the shareholder ranking, with Tencent maintaining its No.2 spot.

Universal Music Group (UMG) and The Music Den at Toronto’s Ryerson University have announced a new collaboration to see The Music Den joining UMG’s Accelerator Engagement Network to support the next generation of Canadian music start–ups. As the first Canadian member of the Accelerator Network, the Music Den will be Toronto’s international portal for music–focused startup companies. UMG’s Accelerator Engagement Network is seeking to increase the number of new music–related startups through the first–of–its–kind program. Among UMG’s additional accelerator network members are included Axel Springer and Porsche’s Berlin–based accelerator Plug and Play; LeanSquare, a music technology accelerator launched by the Liege, Belgium–based investment firm; NYC MediaLab, which runs programs for student and faculty digital media entrepreneurs at New York–area universities; Seoul, Korea–based Sparklabs; and China Accelerator based in Shanghai.

BMG has signed Latin pop star Malu Trevejo to a new global recordings agreement. With highly–anticipated new music expected soon, the deal comes following her worldwide co–publishing agreement, signed with BMG last year. The 15–year–old Cuba–born and Miami–based singer/artist/dancer/personality has, in just two short years, generated millions of fans across the globe with her music. In making the announcement of the new deal, Malu debuted the music video for her latest single with Gente De Zona, “Nadie Como You.” Malu garnered attention initially via social media including on Musical.ly, where a string of viral videos garnered her millions of followers, and on Instagram, where she counts 7 million followers to date. In 2017, after teaming up with Miami–based management firm THE Group, she made her formal debut with the single “Luna Llena.” The song reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Top Latin Songs chart, achieved 70 million–plus views, and was certified RIAA Latin Platinum. Additionally single “En Mi Mente” has racked up over 10 million views, and “Hasta Luego” with the U.K.’s HRVY, has generated upwards of 50 million streams.

Hitco Entertainment, the L.A. Reid and Charles Goldstuck–launched record label/publishing company, has announced a new partnership with Pilgrim Media Group to work across a round of new music–centric programming. Founded by TV producer Craig Piligian, Pilgrim is known for its work on programs including Ghost Hunters,American Chopper and The Ultimate Fighter, among others. While there hasn’t been much detail provided on the forthcoming content, it has been revealed that one show will be a limited documentary series covering the rise of Atlanta’s rap and R&B communities, as well as another series which will be music competition show, currently under the banner of Take the Lead.

Tyson Haller is parting ways with Warner Music Group’s ADA following seven years with the company. An industry veteran, Haller started out at ADA heading a “radio department of one,” eventually transitioning to the role of Sr. VP Promotion and Label Services. In overseeing the label services team, Haller led marketing, publicity, digital marketing, playlist promotion, synch and licensing, and radio promotion for the ADA roster that counts acts such as Lil Dicky, Madeintyo and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, as well as others. Before joining ADA, Haller served in senior roles at ILG, EastWest Records, Virgin Records and Elektra Entertainment Group.

Filings have been made with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Tencent Music Entertainment Group as the firm gears up for an IPO in the U.S. The U.S. IPO by the music division of Chinese tech leader Tencent Holdings, could mark one of the largest to date from a Chinese company. It’s SEC filing revealed that both Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment have made recent acquisitions of shares of about $200 million in cash. Among the biggest stakeholders in Tencent Music are it’s parent company at 58.1% and Spotify at 9.1%. It was anticipated the company would announce plans to raise up to $4 billion however, it ultimately set a placeholder listing at $1 billion, used to calculate registration fees. Thomson Reuters IFR revealed the final valuation of Tencent Music is placed at about $25 billion.

Position Music’s President & CEO, Tyler Bacon, announced last week the promotion of Mark Chipello to VP of A&R and Artist Development for the Los Angeles–based company. Chipello came to Position Music in 2011 where he has continued to sign, develop and manage a number of artists including Welshly Arms, Tyrone Wells, Judah & the Lion and Royal Deluxe, as well as others. Additionally, Chipello oversees and guides Position Music’s A&R staff and continues to secure both record and publishing deals for Position Music talent, with Welshly Arms being the most recent example of the company’s forward thinking and synergistic approach to the music industry.

Having been acquired just over two years ago from Warner Music by Blue Raincoat Music, Chrysalis Records has revealed major growth since the label’s return to independent ownership. In the latest Q2 figures, Chrysalis shows a turnover reaching £3.675 million for the year to June 2018. The label’s performance in the nine months prior to the June 2016 sale saw a turnover of just £205,000. Among the acts on the Chrysalis roster are included The Specials, Sinead O’Connor, The Waterboys, Ten Years After, Grant Lee Buffalo, Lucinda Williams, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Steve Harley, Fun Boy Three, Ultravox and the Two Tone label. Prior to Blue Raincoat’s acquisition, streaming numbers sat at around 250,000 streams per day, with the Chrysalis catalog now reaching the 1 million per day mark, a significant growth of 100% year–on–year over two years.

Emmy/Grammy–winning artist will.i.am has made moves to enter the film and TV production space in finalizing a first–look deal with Entertainment One. The multiyear agreement encompasses feature films and scripted/unscripted TV projects with will.i.am creating, developing and acting as executive producer for various projects. Marking the first project under the deal is The Zombie Chronicles, a TV adaptation of the Marvel Comic published Masters of the Sun graphic novel, which featured will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas. will.i.am, who is represented by Hertz Lichtenstein at CAA, already has TV credits via unscripted series Planet of the Apps (Apple) and as a judge on The Voice U.K. as well as films including Wolverine, Rio and Madagascar.

Caroline has promoted Brandy Contreras to the role of Sr. VP of Strategic Operations, it was announced last by Caroline’s President, Jacqueline Saturn, to whom Contreras will report. In the newly–created position, Contreras will work to strengthen Caroline’s infrastructure, seeking to make administrative and communication operations more efficient between its team, artist/label partners, and Capitol Music Group (CMG) management. She will also seek to increase effectiveness of the company’s 50–member U.S. team as well as work alongside Saturn and Matt Sawin, Caroline’s EVP, on strategic planning/alliances across the distribution and label services firm’s 11 offices worldwide. Contreras steps into her new role after serving as VP of Human Resources for CMG and Universal Music Group since 2017.

On the Caroline International front, the company has announced a new partnership with EGA Records which also sees EGA Co–Founder, Colin Batsa, appointed as an A&R Consultant. Founded in 2010, EGA Music Group is co–owned by Batsa along with Victor Omos and Charley Snook. Prior to setting up their management firm, the group spent three years operating a digital distribution company. Among the acts EGA works with are included Oh Wonder, Devlin and Sharna Bass. EGA’s launch was a result of the success of Devlin whose debut full–length, Bud Sweat and Beers, was released through Island Records and reached Gold certification.

United Talent Agency (UTA) has revealed that agents Dave Shapiro and Tim Borror will part ways with the firm in December. The exits come after Steve Kaul departed UTA quietly last month. All three agents came to the UTA team when it acquired The Agency Group in 2015. Shapiro had been VP at UTA with a roster that included acts such as The Devil Wears Prada, A Day to Remember, Of Mice & Men, Memphis May Fire and Pierce the Veil.

Sentric Music has joined with Black Rock Publishing to launch Sentric Electronic, a music publishing service focused on electronic music to help artists capitalize on revenue generated for when their compositions are played, performed and copied including clubs, download stores, streaming services, radio stations and television. Sentric Electronic brings together the technology, infrastructure and global reach of Sentric Music, and the insight and experience of Black Rock. Sentric Electronic’s core offering is a 28–day deal which sees the company collecting performance, mechanical and neighbouring rights revenue globally, with clients retaining 100% of their copyrights. Sentric Electronic's also includes an award–winning synch and licensing team with music placements to–date across TV, film, advertising, video games, promotional videos and other brand partnerships. Among the acts already signed to Sentric Electronic are included Albzzy, Alice Clark, Enzo Siffredi, Jansons, Killed Kassette, Melinki, Lord of The Isles, Mark Jenkyns, Mizbee, Scarlett Quinn, Thomas Gandey, Rhythm Staircase and Tigerlight.

Space Mirror Merch has launched as a collaboration between Space 44,Mirror Music Group and UNIFIED Merchandise Services. Marking the first artist–driven merch service, Space Mirror Merch is now part of Australia’s leading music retail network that specializes in the creation, supply and distribution of band and artist merchandise. UNIFIED Merch Services has already garnered a reputation for providing on–trend and in–demand merchandise services online for both domestic and international acts through its primary marketplace, 24Hundred. Space Mirror Merch encompasses the full suite of e–commerce and trackable touring capabilities with options across all artists’ collections, including post–payment options, Facebook Messenger tracking and online support, parcel locker collections and returns, print on demand and real time customer sales tracking for touring services. Last Friday, Space Mirror Merch rolled–out its first pre–order as Gang of Youths – MTV Unplugged Live in Melbourne vinyl and merch bundles.

Facebook has announced long–time staffer Adam Mosseri as the new Head of Instagram. The news comes with the recent reveal that Co–Founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger are parting ways with the photo–sharing app. Mosseri had been serving as Instagram’s Head of Product since May with his start at Facebook having been as a designer, most recently overseeing its news feed.

Kobalt Music’s recordings division, AWAL, has signed a worldwide deal with singer/songwriter Kevin Garrett, opening up to Garrett AWAL’s portfolio of services counting global marketing and distribution, licensing campaign support and more. Released in 2015, Garrett’s debut EP, Mellow Drama, received critical acclaim and in 2016, he received a Grammy nomination for co–writing and producing Beyoncé’s “Pray You Catch Me” from her album Lemonade. Garrett is published by Jay Z’s ROCNATION.

Music rights administration platform, TuneRegistry, has rolled out version 2.0 of its flagship service, overhauling its system with new features while refining its existing offering and adding several new partners. Among the highlights of the new edition are included metadata delivery to Gracenote, TiVo, MediaNet, Audible Magic, Exactuals – RAI, Crunch Digital, ACRCloud, AcoustID and Quantone via a redesigned Registrations module improving user experience; release–level delivery to SoundExchange through TuneRegistry’s U.S. Release Registration; the ability to input sub–publishing information for multiple territories; expanded U.S. song registrations for rights holders to deliver directly to the Harry Fox Agency, Music Reports and Loudr for mechanical licensing; and an efficient process to set–up cover songs for cover artists. Additionally, TuneRegistry has scaled its offering to support larger catalogs through its new Enterprise Plan, counting Vydia, Repost Network and Made in Memphis Entertainment as its first customers. The new plan provides users exclusive access to a database encompassing up to 100,000 songs, unlimited recordings and releases, sub–catalogs that enable colleagues/clients to manage their own databases, bulk import/export, and year–round priority support as well as unlimited user access to a catalog.

Charlie Sloth

It has been revealed that BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra presenter Charlie Sloth is parting ways with the stations after 10 years, for an anticipated transition to Apple for the DJ and his Fire In The Booth brand. November 1st’s airing of The 8th and November 3rd’s airing of The Rap Show will mark Sloth’s final appearances on BBC’s stations with new presenters expected be named in the coming weeks. The news comes following another BBC Radio departure announcement from DJ Semtex who heads to Capital XTRA after 15 years.

Copenhagen–based publishing company GL Music Entertainment continues to expand its presence as a leading administrator and creative publisher in the Nordics with the addition of new catalogues to the growing list of independents they represent. GL has finalized sub–publishing agreements with N. American publishers The Royalty Network (song credits include Drake, Black Eyed Peas, Tiësto and others) and Canadian publisher, Hyve Town (credits include Lady Gaga, Carly Rae Jepsen and others). Under the new deals, GL will represent these catalogues in the Nordic countries with a focus on administration, co–writing opportunities and synch. The new company’s join GL’s roster for representation in Scandinavia that includes over 500,000 works from publishers around the world including Cloud 9 (Netherlands), Schedler Music (Austria), PEN Music (U.S.), Memory Lane Music Group (U.S.), ROBA (Germany), A&G Sync (U.K.), CCS Rights Management (Canada), Red Brick Songs (Canada) and others.

Starting next year, SoundCloud’s advertising sales in the U.S. will be led by Pandora, it was announced last week. The arrangement provides SoundCloud access to Pandora’s direct sales capabilities as well as a wealth of data and an audio marketplace, recently rolled–out, offering brands and advertisers the option to directly buy U.S. ad inventory. According to SoundCloud and Pandora, the two services collectively count over 100 million unduplicated users just in the U.S., with 13% overlap of audience. Additionally, the new agreement builds upon SoundCloud’s existing work with AdsWizz, the digital ad firm that Pandora acquired earlier in the year for $66.3 million.

Tidal and Samsung have finalized an agreement to see the streaming platform creating its own app for the Samsung TV. The app, which will prioritize Tidal’s visual content, will offer users new music, concerts, and live streams as well as curated content such as video playlists. The full Tidal catalog will be available encompassing 240,000 hours of music videos and over 58 million tracks. Tidal already has apps available to Amazon Fire devices, Apple TV and Android TV.

peermusic has finalized an exclusive co–publishing agreement with regional Mexican singer/songwriter, Lupita Infante, the granddaughter of iconic Mexican singer and actor, Pedro Infante, and daughter of actor Pedro Infante Jr. Infante’s signing comes as her single “Flor Sin Retoño” is released, offering her contemporary spin on mariachi music. On the live front, Infante has opened for Shaila Durcal and Beatriz Adriana as well as recently performing at the 2018 Mariachi USA festival at the Hollywood Bowl. She was also a recent finalist on Mexico’s version of The Voice, La Voz.

PledgeMusic CEO, Dominic Pandiscia, has parted ways with the music crowdfunding company. Pandiscia arrived to PledgeMusic in 2016 having spent time at Caroline and EMI in sales/marketing positions. Pandiscia will relaunch his Sunday Artist media consulting firm which he initially set up in 2015.

Ticketmaster has tapped Tawn Albright as EVP to oversee growth for the company’s specialized platforms such as TicketWeb and Universe. Albright was most recently a member of Leaf Group’s executive team and prior, was Co–Founder and CEO of award–winning digital agency Rockhouse Partners. Albright’s hire marks a return to Ticketmaster, having led Corporate Development for the company prior to launching Rockhouse. Additional stints include those at Cox Communications and The Coca–Cola Company. Albright will be based in Nashville and seek to continue Ticketmaster’s investment into ticketing solutions across independent music clubs, attractions and branded events, fairs and festivals, arts and cultural experiences, organized DIY events and e–sports.

U.K. festival, The Great Escape, has unveiled the first set up fifty artists set to play its 2019 event, taking place May 9th–11th 2019 in Brighton. In making the announcement, the first fifty acts revealed will also join a three day event taking place November 27th–29th in six East London venues. For the full group of artists, click HERE.

The iconic London AIR Studios have been sold to a Russian investor, reportedly businessman Maxim Demin, for an undisclosed amount. The studio, originally founded in 1969 by Beatles producer Sir George Martin, had recently been made for sale by its owners Richard Boote and Paul Woolf. According to Woolf, the new owner, whom has not officially been revealed, has “met all our staff and reassured them about the future of the studio and investment into the studio and that's exactly the kind of buyer we were looking for. We wanted someone who wanted to maintain it and that we could pass on the baton to. We're super delighted."

The W Hotel brand has revealed its entry into the music industry via the roll–out of a new record label, W Records. Four artists are set to release under the Marriott–owned chain’s label, with the first act being New York’s Amber Mark. Artists signed to W Records will record in on–site W Sound Suites located in Hollywood, Barcelona, Bali and Seattle with music released as limited–edition vinyls, and digitally with Kobalt’s AWAL overseeing distribution for the set–up. The W brand isn’t new to the music space having hosted its own Wake Up Call festival series in Hollywood, Barcelona and Bali. Additionally, Marriott’s Aloft Hotel brand has its own music competition, Project: Aloft Star, in partnership with Universal Music Group that happens around the world and will feature a live component, Project: Aloft Star Tour, to launch this year.

Bucks Music Group has become the first company to enter a new agreement that will see it pay for all of its new signings to join the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA). Bucks is helping its writers join BASCA as a part of an ongoing commitment to empower young talent. Among BASCA’s existing membership are included songwriters and composers such as Sir Paul McCartney, Dizzee Rascal, Gary Barlow, David Arnold, Kate Bush, Imogen Heap, Sir Elton John, Annie Lennox, Harrison Birtwhistle, Chris Martin and others.

Having closed its doors in 2015 after 27 years, it was revealed last week that iconic Ibiza club Space will be opening again. The relaunch of Space comes as joint effort between Space’s owner Pepe Rosello, long–time resident DJ Carl Cox, Dave Browning who has been a club promoter on Ibiza for 15 years, and Juan Arenas who had served as Space’s GM for it’s last 10 years. There have not been firm details on when exactly the new club will open its doors however, based on comments from Cox and others, it does appear there will be moves made in 2019.

Sarah Trahern

Country Music Association CEO, Sarah Trahern, will be inducted into the 2018 Academy for Women of Achievement (AWA), it was announced last week by the Nashville YWCA. The AWA recognizes the positive contributions and work of women in their communities in the city of Nashville and beyond. Trahern was integral in the CMA Foundation’s work to keep music education in public schools and and serves on boards across Nashville to support victims of the Route 91 Harvest music festival shooting in Las Vegas last year. Trahern’s honor places her alongside 158 other women who have been recognized by the AWA since it launched in 1992.

Have you ever sent a personal IM to the wrong screen name, accidentally replied “send all” on an E–mail, or made a total ass of yourself? Yes, we’ve all had a jackass moment at one time or another in our life. We all have a bad day one time or another, but some days can be way crappier than others. Click HERE and see why sometimes it can be a real jackass kind of a bad day!

A&R WORLDWIDE’S "ARTIST OF THE WEEK"– TONICA

Formed in 2017, TONICA, are a Manchester–based electronic duo consisting of members Amory (singer, guitarist, songwriter) and Sam (producer, instrumentalist, songwriter). Their music encompasses a contemporary, hook–heavy, alt–pop sound, but with a dark edge that brings something new to the table. Much of TONICA's music encapsulates ideas of the romantic and melodramatic, giving them a certain cinematic feel, which reflects the ‘neon–noir’ aesthetic. Their first two singles “Save Yourself” and “Nightmares” received strong support from BBC Introducing (Manchester) and Amazing Radio, in addition to being featured in a number of influential music blogs including EQ Music Blog, Sonic News, The Prelude Press and many others. Their new single “California” tells the story of a stranger in Los Angeles searching for a lost love. Written from an outsider’s perspective, the song portrays an alternative view of the 31st state; exploring themes of loneliness and loss in an adopted city, and the darkness beneath Hollywood’s glamorous exterior. “California" is armed with pulsating electro beats, soaring vocals and vibrant synths. The track was produced and co–written by Joe Cross (Hurts, The Courteeners). Listen to “California” HERE and contact tonic4music@gmail.com as TONICA is available for booking, signing, licensing and synch opportunities.

A&R WORLDWIDE’S "VIDEO OF THE WEEK" – THE FAIM

Two years ago, The Faim, a four–piece rock band from Perth, Australia sent in a song unsolicited to John Feldermann’s (blink–182, All Time Low, Good Charlotte) demo box. The track caught his attention, so he asked the band to send additional demos over. This began a dialogue between Feldmann and the band in which they wrote and demoed 30 songs over six months. Feldmann was so impressed with the band that he invited them out to Los Angeles in April of last year, and they recorded 10 songs together, including “Summer Is A Curse.” During the recording process the band teamed up with some of the biggest luminaries, including Ashton Irwin of 5 Seconds of Summer on the hit–in–waiting “Summer Is A Curse.” The track has exploded on streaming platforms, securing New Noise, Rock This and many other playlists on Spotify, in addition to a ton of support from Apple. The Faim has earned 5.5 million streams worldwide, including 2 million streams in the U.S. alone. The Faim will make their U.S. debut with an upcoming cross–country tour next month. Watch the video for “Summer Is A Curse” HERE and contact Nick Attaway at nick.attaway@bmg.com for additional information.